Ways Parents Provoke (Part 4)

Here is part 4 of the current posting series as taught by one of our heroes, John MacArthur. If you are a believer and a parent who "sucks" at encouraging others, even your own children, then let us get to work relying on the Holy Spirit who was given to us and has filled our hearts with the immeasurable love of God (Rom 5:5). Hope you benefit from the read!

4) A fourth way children are provoked is by discouragement. A child who is never complimented or encouraged by his parents is destined for trouble. If he is always told what is wrong with him and never what is right, he will soon lose hope and become convinced that he is incapable of doing anything right. At that point he has no reason even to try. Parents can always find something that a child genuinely does well, and they should show appreciation for it. A child needs approval and encouragement in things that are good every bit as much as he needs correction in things that are not (Emphasis Added).